All Zika cases in San Diego County have been related to travel to an
area with risk of Zika. An area with risk of Zika means that
mosquitoes there may be infected with Zika and spreading it to people.
San Diego has also reported cases of sexual transmission of Zika from
a traveler to an area with a risk of Zika, and transmission from a
pregnant woman to her fetus. For updated information on Zika activity
in San Diego and California, please see the Local Zika Activity webpage.

How Zika Spreads

The bite of an infected
Aedes species mosquito

From a
pregnant woman to her fetus

Through sexual activity with an
infected person

Aedes mosquitos bite during the day and night. They prefer to bite
people, and live indoors and outdoors near people. These are the same
mosquitoes that spread dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever viruses.
Mosquitoes become infected, meaning they carry the virus, when they
feed on a person who is already infected with the virus. Infected
mosquitoes can then spread the virus to other people through bites.
Zika virus can also spread from person to person. A pregnant woman can
pass Zika virus to her fetus during pregnancy, Zika can be passed
through sex from a person who has Zika to his or her partner, and in
Brazil there have been reports of Zika transmission from blood
transfusions.

Zika and Pregnancy

The Zika virus can spread from a pregnant woman to her fetus.
Infection during pregnancy can cause birth defects. In April 2016, CDC scientists announced that there is enough
evidence to conclude that Zika virus infection during pregnancy is a
cause of microcephaly (a birth defect where a baby’s head
and brain are smaller than expected), and other severe fetal brain
defects, as well as pregnancy loss, eye defects, hearing loss, and
impaired growth in infants. Cases of Zika in pregnant women are
reported to the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry.

Many people infected with Zika virus won’t have symptoms or will
only have mild symptoms. Zika symptoms begin between 2 and 12 days
(most commonly 3-7 days) after exposure to the virus and only last for
a few days to a week. People usually don’t get sick enough to go to
the hospital, and they very rarely die of Zika. However, there have
been cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome reported in patients following
suspected Zika virus infection.

How You Can Stop Zika

There is no vaccine or medicine for Zika. You can help stop Zika if
you Prevent, Protect, and Report!

Prevent mosquito breeding sites. Mosquitos lay their eggs
in standing water in things like buckets, bowls, animal dishes, flower
pots, and vases. Every week, dump out and clean containers that hold
water inside and outside homes. Fill plant saucers with sand or fine
gravel so water won’t form pools where mosquitoes can breed.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites. Wear long sleeves
and pants when outdoors. Use insect repellent with EPA-approved ingredients, such as DEET. Make
sure the screens on your windows and doors are in good condition, do
not have holes or tears, and are secured to keep insects out.

Reportmosquito activity if you are being bitten by
mosquitoes during daylight hours, or if you see black mosquitoes with
white stripes on their legs and back. To report mosquito activity,
please For information about how to report mosquito activity, please
visit this page. A representative from the San
Diego County Vector Control Program will get in touch with you within
3 business days.

What the County is doing about Zika

San Diego County is on the front line to stop the spread of the Zika
virus. County public health and vector control officials continue to
work with medical providers and residents to investigate potential
Zika cases and take necessary precautions to minimize the chance of
local transmission.

Mexican health officials have reported that mosquitoes
carrying Zika virus have been found in different regions of Mexico.
These mosquitos can spread Zika to people who travel south of the
border. Mosquitos that spread Zika have been reported as close as
Ensenada, Baja California, about 80 miles south of San Diego.

Because Zika virus is primarily spread by mosquitoes, the CDC
recommends that all travelers to Mexico protect themselves from mosquito bites,
especially those who cross the border on a regular basis. It is
important for travelers to protect themselves from mosquito bites
after returning to the U.S. because, if a mosquito bites an infected
person who is still contagious, it can spread the virus to another person.